REGULATION OF ADIPOSE CELL-DEVELOPMENT IN-UTERO

The condition of obesity is impacted by increases in fat cell number, fat cell size, or a combination of the two, It is generally believed t hat fat cell number is dependent on the age of onset end the degree of obesity. This review provides an update on intrauterine growth of fet al adipose tissue, the earliest period of proliferation onset, and the factors that interact to enhance or suppress development, Fetal adipo se tissue development is regulated by the complex interaction of mater nal, endocrine, and paracrine influences that initiate specific change s in angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and metabolism, Developmental stages and metabolic processes influenced by specific hormones and paracrine factors have been identified through examination of the offspring of o bese and diabetic pregnancies, hormonal manipulation during late pregn ancy in animal models, and the use of cell culture. Collectively, the results of the studies cited herein delineate the basis for imprinting or conditioning of fetal preadipocytes at the paracrine/autocrine lev el and a role of thyroxine, glucocorticoids, and other hormones in fet al adipose tissue development and metabolism.